Broadway’s top talents reveal their lightning bolt moments that set them on the course of their dreams. When Lightning Strikes! Is hosted by Forbes.com and Parade.com contributor Jeryl Brunner. “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” - Mark Twain We’ve all had it. Eureka! Your proverbial lightbulb goes off. The heavens open. The seas part. That wondrous, heart thumping, tingly, glorious mic drop moment when you realized what you were meant to do. No matter what it took. Lightning has struck! And from then on nothing is ever, ever the same. Host Jeryl Brunner presents candid, sometimes soul-baring, often funny chats with actors, writers, producers, directors and creatives as they lay down their THIS IS IT! discoveries about why they do what they do and what led them into theater. Learn more about Jeryl at @jeryl_brunner or www.jerylbrunner.com." When Lightning Strikes" theme song by Tom McGovern. Producer and talent booker: Anna Strout. Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.
Margot Rose is an actor, writer, songwriter, storyteller and producer whose career has taken her from the original Off-Broadway company of I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road at the Public Theater to television, film and stages across the country. You may have seen her in 48 Hrs., 21 Jump Street, Star Trek: The Next Generation or Desperate Housewives. Margot wrote and stars in Unconditional, a musical memoir featuring music by Margot and Aaron Benham and directed by Anne Kenny. This deeply personal show explores family, love, loss, and what it means to keep going after something unimaginable. Unconditional makes its New York debut at La MaMa on October 15.
This episode was recorded on September 23rd.
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9 Sept 2026
#110 - Jonathan Judge-Russo
Jonathan Judge-Russo is a prolific actor and producer. He is currently starring in the Off-Broadway musical Music City at St. Luke's Theatre. A true multi-hyphenate, as a producer he is also developing a plethora of film and television projects. As the founding artistic director of Animus Theatre Company, he has produced more than 50 plays, musicals, festivals, and readings since its launch in 2011.
This episode was recorded August 26, 2026.
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6 Aug 2026
#109 - Max Clayton
Max Clayton stars in the hit musical Schmigadoon!, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Clayton, plays dashing Danny Bailey in the show. He was honored with the Chita Rivera Award along with Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for his riveting and showstopping performance. His other stage credits include Chicago, The Music Man, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Hello, Dolly!, Pretty Woman, Bandstand, Something Rotten!, On the Town, Gigi, A Chorus Line and more. On screen, he can be seen in Kiss of the Spider Woman, White Noise, and Dear Edward.
Schmigadoon's original cast recording will be released on August 21 in partnership with Joy Machine Records and will include the entire Tony Award-winning score and orchestrations.
This episode was recorded on July 22, 2026.
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Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
49
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
68
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